Brooklyn, NY natives Phony Ppl are a six-piece collective that creates a jazzy blend of R&B and hip-hop grounded in real instrumentation. Led by singer/songwriter Elbee Thrie and rapper Sheriff PJ, the group started in high school in 2011 and hosted warehouse shows around the New York area, gradually building a following among fans of the blend of hip-hop swagger and soulful tradition championed by groups such as R&B collective The Internet.
On the track “Why iii Love the Moon”, off of their 2015 album Yesterday’s Tomorrow, the group espouses reservation about the concept of true love and the meaning of true happiness. Elbee Thrie croons:
“Real love’s so hard to find
Just when you think you’ve found it
The illusions in your eyes
It blinds us all
So be careful where you look for love”
The song ultimately takes a uplifting turn, espousing the constant beauty found in nature, specifically the moon, in one of the catchiest hooks to be found in recent R&B. In both this track and throughout the excellent Yesterday’s Tomorrow, Phony Ppl manage to find a delicate balance between beautiful compositions and the blunt truths and powerful messages found in the best hip-hop. Check out “Why iii Love the Moon”, and follow the group on social media.
